Unhappy with GP treatment

[calibra101]

What would you do in this situation?

I have Fibromyalgia and severe lower back pain and have struggled for years to find adequate pain relief. I was put on Tramadol a few months ago ( I basically had to fight my corner for them) although it only takes the edge off the pain its better than nothing. I went to pick up the prescription yesterday only to find the GP hadn't prescribed them the excuse being they don't like people being on them long term so what I am left with is bog standard paracetamol and people who have Fibromyalgia know how very painful this condition is. Throughout the 8 yrs I have had this condition my GP has not been very helpful at all and makes me feel like a hypochondriac everytime I visit. Changing the GP is a hard option as the nearest surgery  is then miles away. I have an appointment next week and I know I need to be more assertive regarding insisting on adequate pain relief but being in constant pain has worn me down so much I am not sure how to deal with him. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated thanks.

[petstation1989]

I also had really bad lower back pain and the GP wasnt much help but they did eventually get me a physio which wasnt much help either.

Alot of my friends were going to the gym doing body building and i was always affraid to go because of my back but i finally dragged myself there and as stupid as it might sound my back pain literally vanished within 2 or 3 weeks. It was hard work but it is well worth it and i dont take any pain killers anymore.

Its worth at least thinking about.

[saasher2012]

Hi, Calibra, I m sorry to hear that you are in so much pain, I can understand the GP' s reluctance to continue with the Tramadol, however to leave you without a decent painkiller doesn't sound very good, take someone with you who knows what your going through
To help you fight your corner if you start to falter, are there no other Doctors in the practice that you could see? Try this first before you jump ship. Best of luck!.

[stroppy*cow]

I fully understand about the pain killers, and I know only too well what it is to deal with a less than helpful GP!.

Could you check if there is a chronic pain clinic at the local hospital, and if there is insist on being referred there?

[ed_blackadder_1]

We have a chronic pain clinic at our hospital and it is brilliant, they cover all aspects of pain and how to manage it, from pills to exercise. Perhaps you could look up the hospitals website to see.

[bookworm26]

The pain clinic is a good idea. You can self refer to the one at my local hospital, but I dont know how general that is. Find out if you can do that at yours.

[j_uk643]

You can ask to be referred to another GP within the practice, though how much help that would be depends on the GP's within it.

There are stronger painkillers otc than the one you mention.

The pain clinic is a much better idea because it's a specialist unit, and GP's aren't
I once had a tiny shard of glass on my eye causing pain which I nor my GP could see despite much searching, with lights and equipment.
A specialist opthalmic nurse found it in about 5 secs.

The pain clinic covers a range of options not just standard medication, and while some may be dubious at first, you may longer term find a better solution, whatever that may be.

good luck

[ed_blackadder_1]

If I am having problems I can ring and they have me in for a chat, we try and work out where I am going wrong or right usually not enough excercise, I was very sceptical when I first went thinking it would be all new age and touchy feely, but they work with you to find what is the best pain management for you not for them.  I also go to a physio every 6 months or so just to make sure I am on the straight and narrow.  Whilst I still get back pain I can manage it and haven't had a major problem for about 5 years now, touch wood fingers crossed.  The simplest things can set my back into spasm, like lifting my arm up to dry my hair or pulling on my socks.

Are there other doctors in your surgery perhaps you could change to one of them if you are not happy.

[calibra101]

Thank you all. Sorry for late reply my Internet has been down. There is another GP there but what I have heard from others is he has been complained about already. I think we are scraping the barrel as far as GP's go here in my village. I will definitely ask to be referred to a pain clinic as that seems the way to go. Here's hoping.

Thanks.

[aernethril]

Is there anyone who can go with you to give moral support at least, if not actually help you get across what you want to say?

I don't know if you've seen this help page but it does explain quite a bit about the condition and what may or may not help.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/fibromyalgia-leaflet

It could help you with how you tackle the GP about your condition and what you feel is the way forward to help you - not what he wants.

Getting referred to a pain clinic should be the way to go but I know in my area, there was a long waiting list and my GP was very good at helping me with my back pain anyway so I didn't bother to join as it also meant a very long journey for me by bus.

Further down that article it mentions the use of anti-depressants and that's what I have in the lowest dose.  It's been found that for some kinds of pain, this helps blocks the pain as that page explains.

Hope that helps and you get some better treatment too.

[calibra101]

Thanks aernthil. I have taken my mother and my daughter to the surgery with me as back up and they have described in detail exactly how they see me day to day but the GP just ignores everything they say. I have tried a low dose anti depressant  but it does not work for me unfortunately.  I know how I came by this disease as when I was 22, I contracted Glandular Fever and it turned into ME. The ME subsided for many years after but  then reared again and progressed into Fibromyalgia for the last 8 years. It is a very painful nasty disease and would not wish it on anyone. I just need pain relief to continue with some sort of a  life.

[crystalfairylights]

Sorry to hear about the pain you are....Sadly GP's follow outdated guidelines when it comes to Fibromyalgia (i have it) and they should read the World Health Organisation as they have some excellent up to date info. Can't go into too much info on here but I have a complaint running about a medic refusing to recognise how this dreadful illness affects patients, and have done lots of research lately. 

I had glanduler fever 20yrs ago, from which i never fully recovered and things developed from there.

Tell your GP to refer you, don't take any flack from any of them, they have a duty of care and must send you to the pain clinic at your local hospital, they cannot refuse.

The hospital have the expertese you require and are more qualified to deal with pain.  

[calibra101]

Thank you Crystal and others for the advice. I had the appointment today and I am glad to say I stood my ground. I have been kept on Tramadol and referred to a pain clinic. 🙂

[aernethril]

Well done - must feel a whole load better to have got that sorted out just in itself.

Good luck with the pain management clinic and hope you get your appointment soon.

[calibra101]

Thank you 🙂

[captainbovine]

well done you! now you have two positives. I hope you can get the results you want, back pain is awful. I have sciatica which I can't shift, some days it's better than others and other days it just disappears only to return the next day 50 times worse!!

Do come back and let us know how you get on at the pain clinic

[bitsnknots]

Well done Calibra.  I'm glad that you got things sorted.

[crystalfairylights]

Well done, thats fantastic news ...yay!

[j_uk643]

well done op

[bankhaunter]

This thread led me to thinking how it has been said that homeopathy for example, may seem to be effective not because of the remedy itself but rather the often long, detailed and sympathic consultation process, a sort of enhanced placebo effect.

If that is the case, could it also not be that a hurried, unsympathetic talk with a doctor produce the opposite, a reverse placebo?

It must be that a lack of confidence in their doctor is not good for the patient albeit they are given the right medication.